Gulf Shores, Ala. – (OBA) – A $3.5 million letter of credit issued by the developers of the Embassy Suites in Gulf Shores to the city “as a security against the project being completed and coming operational” is being allowed to expire per the agreement on June 30.

The city council will address the letter in a specially council meeting on April 7 at 4 p.m. at city hall in council chambers. There will be a work session immediately following the special meeting.

“The development team has notified the City that they expect to receive a certificate of occupancy for the project in May and aim to open the property to the public in late June or early July,” according to the meeting agenda.

The eight-story property will have 257 all-suite beachfront guestrooms; a lobby bar and restaurant; a rooftop amenity terrace inclusive of a bar and grille, pool deck and an outdoor entertainment venue; and 13,620 square feet of enclosed meeting and pre-function space, including a 7,800-square-foot ballroom. The resort will also have a three-story parking garage and 7,618 square feet of leasable retail space that will include a Starbucks. See related story: Constructions of the Embassy Suites in Gulf Shores Is underway.

During the following work session, the council will also discuss a liquor license for the hotel.

During the specially called meeting, the council will also consider:

• A contract with Howard Technology Solutions to provide data backup and restoration service for the city for $232,749 over the three-year contract.

During the following work session, the council will discuss:

• A memorandum of understanding between the city and the airport authority for a loan agreement for $3.8 million and a line of credit for $1.1 million. This will help add additional city fire, police, public works and human resources for the airport as it moves into commercial air traffic with the new passenger terminal.
• Accepting a donation from Tyler Prescott to the city of a one-acre property in a lot that stretches across the north and east sides of the Palmetto Court subdivision.
• A contract with Foth/Olsen to conduct an annual beach monitoring following the renourishments after Hurricanes Nate and Sally for $59,700 to “perform joint monitoring and surveying as required by FEMA to maintain reimbursement eligibility.”
• A liquor license for the El Toro Mexican restaurant in the same strip mall as the Gulf Shores Diner.
• A contract with VitalExam for annual firefighter physicals for $53,926.
• A contract with Eastern Shore Co. to continue coin-operated telescopes at Gulf Place. The new contract is for two years with an option to add a third year.
• Approving the surplus of a 2013 Kubota excavator.
• Trading in a Barber Beach Rake with a $6,500 value to apply to the purchase of a new rake for $72,176 after the trade-in is deducted.
• Purchasing Luminis light pole fixtures from Consolidated Electrical Distributors for $82,635.
• Purchasing a “variable message sign” from ProLogic ITS to provide traffic information on city streets for $38,681.
• Amending the Volkert program and construction management contract to add nine months to the building time of the new high school for $470,535.